The short answer
Your main category tells Google which searches you can appear in. Select the category for the work that earns the most money. Add additional categories for your other main services only. Do not add a category for work that you do one time each year. Change the main category one time, then wait two weeks before you make more changes.
What a category does
A category is a label. It tells Google the type of business that you operate. Google then decides the searches that you can appear in.
Your listing has two types of category.
- The main category. You have one. It has the most effect on your position.
- Additional categories. You can add up to nine. They have less effect, but they open more searches.
The category is not a keyword. You cannot write your own text. You select from the Google list. If your exact service is not in the list, select the closest category and put the service in your service list.
How to select the main category
Use this method. It takes ten minutes.
- Write your top three services in the order of the money that they earn.
- Search for service number one on Google Maps, from your service area. Use the words that a customer uses, for example "water heater repair".
- Open the first three listings. Their main category is on the listing, under the business name.
- Compare the categories. If all three use the same category, use that category.
- Select the wider category when two categories are close. Example: a plumbing company selects Plumber, not Water heater installation service. The wide category has more searches attached to it.
One exception exists. If one service is almost all of your revenue, the narrow category can be better. A company that only repairs air conditioners can rank better with Air conditioning repair service than with HVAC contractor.
Do you want to know if your category is correct?Answer 6 quick questions and see your score, free.
Take the 2-minute checkupHow many additional categories to add
Add a category for each service that you provide regularly. Stop there.
Too many categories cause two problems. Google becomes less certain about your business. Customers also see a service list that does not match their job.
A good rule: if you did the work fewer than ten times last year, do not add the category.
Categories by trade
This table gives the usual main category for 20 trades. It also gives the additional categories that most companies in that trade use.
Google changes category names. Always confirm the exact name in your Business Profile dashboard.
| Trade | Main category | Additional categories to consider | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing | Plumber | Drainage service, Water heater installation service, Septic system service, Gasfitter | Plumber is the category with the most searches attached to it. Keep it primary even if you specialize. |
| HVAC and AC repair | HVAC contractor | Air conditioning repair service, Heating contractor, Air conditioning contractor, Furnace repair service, Air duct cleaning service | Full-service companies use HVAC contractor. Repair-only companies often rank better with Air conditioning repair service. |
| Electrical | Electrician | Electrical installation service, Lighting contractor, Generator shop, Electrical repair shop | Add Generator shop only if you sell and service generators. It draws retail searches. |
| Roofing | Roofing contractor | Roofing service, Gutter cleaning service, Siding contractor, Metal roofing contractor | General contractor pulls the wrong searches. Stay with Roofing contractor. |
| Painting | Painter | Painting, Commercial painting service, Cabinet maker, Drywall contractor | Both Painter and Painting exist. Check which one the top three businesses in your area use. |
| Moving | Moving company | Moving and storage service, Mover, Self-storage facility, Piano moving service | Movers face extra scrutiny from Google. Keep the category honest and the address real. |
| Law firm | Personal injury attorney | Law firm, Trial attorney, Family law attorney, Estate planning attorney, Criminal justice attorney | Pick the practice area that earns the most, not the general Lawyer category. |
| Dental office | Dentist | Cosmetic dentist, Pediatric dentist, Dental implants periodontist, Emergency dental service, Orthodontist | General practices use Dentist. Add the specialty categories that match services you truly provide. |
| Landscaping | Landscaper | Lawn care service, Landscape designer, Tree service, Irrigation equipment supplier | Lawn care service and Landscaper draw different searches. Many companies need both. |
| Pest control | Pest control service | Exterminator, Termite control service, Animal control service | Termite control service is worth adding in the South, where termite searches are seasonal and heavy. |
| Cleaning | House cleaning service | Commercial cleaning service, Janitorial service, Carpet cleaning service, Window cleaning service | Residential and commercial cleaning are different searches. Choose the one that pays your bills. |
| Auto repair | Auto repair shop | Mechanic, Brake shop, Transmission shop, Oil change service, Tire shop | Add only the specialty shops you actually operate. Each one changes which searches you appear in. |
| Garage doors | Garage door supplier | Garage builder, Door supplier, Repair service | Garage door supplier is the category Google uses, even for repair-only companies. |
| Towing | Towing service | Auto wrecker, Roadside assistance service, Vehicle storage facility | Towing companies get suspended often. Use one listing, one real address, one honest service area. |
| Restoration | Water damage restoration service | Fire damage restoration service, Building restoration service, Air duct cleaning service, Waterproofing service | Emergency searches go to the restoration categories, not to construction categories. |
| Chiropractic | Chiropractor | Sports massage therapist, Physical therapist, Wellness center | Chiropractor is specific and well used. The general medical categories dilute it. |
| Med spa | Medical spa | Skin care clinic, Laser hair removal service, Facial spa, Weight loss service | Spa draws day-spa searches. Medical spa draws the treatments you sell. |
| Fencing | Fence contractor | Fence supply store, Deck builder, Welder | Fence contractor is one of the clearest categories Google offers. Do not dilute it. |
| Handyman | Handyman | Repair service, Home improvement store, Carpenter, Furniture assembly service | Handyman searches are specific. A contractor category sends you into commercial searches. |
| Real estate | Real estate agency | Real estate agents, Property management company, Commercial real estate agency | Agency and agents are separate categories. Teams usually need the agency category. |
| Carpet cleaning | Carpet cleaning service | Upholstery cleaning service, Water damage restoration service, Rug cleaning service | Carpet cleaning and house cleaning are different searches. Keep them separate. |
| Window cleaning | Window cleaning service | Pressure washing service, Gutter cleaning service, Janitorial service | Many window cleaners also pressure wash. Add it only if it is a regular service. |
| Tree service | Tree service | Arborist and tree surgeon, Stump grinding service, Landscaper, Firewood supplier | Tree service has its own demand, especially after storms. Do not hide it under landscaping. |
| Concrete | Concrete contractor | Driveway contractor, Patio enclosure supplier, Foundation and structural engineer | Concrete contractor is specific. The construction categories pull commercial searches. |
| Flooring | Flooring contractor | Flooring store, Wood floor refinishing service, Tile contractor, Carpet installer | A showroom can use Flooring store. An installer without a showroom uses Flooring contractor. |
| Kitchen remodeling | Kitchen remodeler | Cabinet maker, Countertop contractor, Bathroom remodeler, General contractor | Kitchen remodeler and Bathroom remodeler are separate categories. Add both if you do both. |
| Bathroom remodeling | Bathroom remodeler | Plumber, Tile contractor, Kitchen remodeler, Bathroom supply store | A bathroom remodeler with a plumbing license can add Plumber. Do not add it otherwise. |
| Solar | Solar energy contractor | Solar energy equipment supplier, Electrician, Roofing contractor | Solar searches are specific. Keep the solar category primary. |
| Pool service | Swimming pool repair service | Pool cleaning service, Swimming pool contractor, Swimming pool supply store | Repair, cleaning and construction are three different businesses to Google. |
| Appliance repair | Appliance repair service | Refrigerator repair service, Washer and dryer repair service, Small appliance repair service | Add the specific appliance categories only for the machines that you service. |
| Locksmith | Locksmith | Auto locksmith, Safe and vault shop, Security system installer | Locksmiths face extra checks from Google. Use one listing, one real address, honest hours. |
| Septic service | Septic system service | Portable toilet supplier, Excavating contractor, Plumber | Septic searches are separate from plumbing searches. Keep the septic category primary. |
| Gutters | Gutter cleaning service | Roofing contractor, Siding contractor, Pressure washing service | Gutter installation and gutter cleaning use the same category in most areas. |
| Insulation | Insulation contractor | Energy equipment and solutions, HVAC contractor, Waterproofing service | Insulation has its own category. Use it, and add energy categories only if you do audits. |
| Home inspection | Home inspector | Real estate consultant, Engineer, Pest control service | Home inspector is specific and well used. Do not mix it with real estate sales categories. |
| Security systems | Security system installer | Security system supplier, Fire alarm supplier, Electrician | Installation and monitoring searches both use the installer category. |
| Junk removal | Junk removal service | Garbage collection service, Debris removal service, Demolition contractor | Confirm the exact name in your dashboard. Google has changed the removal categories more than one time. |
| Accounting | Accountant | Certified public accountant, Tax preparation service, Bookkeeping service, Payroll service | Tax preparation service draws seasonal searches. Add it if you do returns. |
| Insurance | Insurance agency | Auto insurance agency, Home insurance agency, Life insurance agency, Commercial agent | Add the line of insurance that earns the most as an additional category. |
| Veterinary | Veterinarian | Animal hospital, Emergency veterinarian service, Pet groomer, Pet boarding service | Animal hospital and Veterinarian both exist. Check which one the practices above you use. |
How to change your category safely
A category change can move your position quickly, up or down. Follow these steps.
- Record your position first. Do a rank scan, or search your main service from three locations in your area. Write the results.
- Change the main category one time. Do not change the name, the address and the category on the same day. Many changes together can cause a Google review of your listing.
- Wait 14 days. Positions move for one or two weeks after a category change.
- Measure again. Use the same three locations. Compare the results.
- Keep the better category. If the new category is worse, change it back and wait again.
Six category mistakes
- A general category as the main category. Contractor, Lawyer and Doctor are too wide. They compete with every business in the city.
- A category for a service that you do not provide. Google can suspend a listing for this.
- Ten categories on a new listing. Start with three or four. Add more after your position is stable.
- A keyword in the business name in the place of a category. The name must be your real business name. Use categories and services for your keywords.
- No review of the categories after a change in the business. New services need new categories.
- A copy of a competitor with a different business model. A company with a shop uses different categories from a company that goes to the customer.